In brief
Mittens, an eight-year-old Maine Coon, accidentally flew three times within a day after being overlooked in an aircraft’s cargo hold, sparking an investigation into the incident by Air New Zealand.
Mittens the cat had a wild travel saga when she was forgotten in the cargo hold of an Air New Zealand plane during a flight from Christchurch to Melbourne on January 12. While her owner, Margo Neas, anxiously awaited her arrival at Melbourne airport, the airline staff informed her that the plane had already returned to New Zealand, with Mittens still onboard. Neas later discovered that during the return flight, the pilot was made aware of the cat’s presence and had the heating turned on in the cargo area to keep Mittens comfortable, despite the low outside temperatures. After being reunited with her pet, Neas expressed her relief to NBC, sharing how they received the news of the oversight: “They said: 'Look, we have located your cat - but it's actually on the return flight to Christchurch...’” Neas could not fathom how such a mistake occurred. She was told that a stowed wheelchair might have blocked the baggage handler’s view of Mittens's cage, leading to this oversight.In response to the incident, Air New Zealand has issued an apology to Neas, assuring her they would reimburse all travel costs. The airline's current policy does not allow direct animal bookings from customers for international flights, necessitating that pet travel be arranged through approved carriers.Neas, who recently moved to Australia, described the heartwarming moment she and Mittens were finally reunited. “She basically just ran into my arms and just snuggled up... It was just such a relief,” she said. Despite the chaotic start to their new life, a now complete family made all the difference. The typical one-way flight duration between Christchurch and Melbourne is usually under four hours, but Mittens' unexpected journey turned into a remarkable story of survival.
